In the twilight hours of Victory Day, the resort town of Kislovodsk hosted a solemn, large-scale event dedicated to the brave actions of those involved in a special military operation. The centerpiece of the ceremony was the unveiling of the Garden of Memory, a living tribute planted around the monument known as the Fire of Eternal Victory. The installation serves as a lasting reminder of the courage shown by soldiers, medical personnel, and the frontline medics who safeguarded the nation during difficult times.
Prominent figures participated in the ceremony, including Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, Anatoly Artamonov, Chairman of the Federation Council Budget and Financial Markets Committee, Denis Maidanov, an Honored Artist of Russia, Olga Stepchenko, the General Director of the ANO Garden of Memory, and Evgeny Moiseev, head of Kislovodsk. They each contributed to memorializing the achievements and sacrifices of medical staff and veterans by planting memorial trees and laying a ceremonial birch-lined path that now marks the tribute area.
Reflecting on the region’s wartime past, Murashko noted that during World War II, Kislovodsk transformed into a hospital city. The combination of dedicated doctors and the area’s natural healing resources helped return more than 600,000 Soviet soldiers to duty. Today the birch street laid along the site serves as a living record of those medical heroes who met fascism with resolve. Murashko emphasized that the victories achieved by medical professionals in wartime remain a guiding example for medical care and rehabilitation during present-day conflicts and crises.
Maidanov echoed this sentiment, stressing that the most important task at hand is to recognize and remember the people who guarantee security and protect Russia’s frontiers. The message conveyed by his remarks underscored a collective commitment to honor those who stand on the front lines, whether in conflict zones or support roles back home.
As part of the commemorative program, participants from the Envelope of the Soldiers patriotic song contest joined forces with People’s Artist of Russia to contribute to the unfolding ceremony. Together they raised a green monument, a symbol of memory and resilience that complements the Garden of Memory and the broader tribute to those who served, protected, and healed during times of hardship. The event highlighted how art and public memory can intertwine to preserve historical lessons for future generations, ensuring that the sacrifices of medical professionals and soldiers are never forgotten. [citation: official press materials, government statements]
The Garden of Memory stands as a living archive, inviting residents and visitors to reflect on the intertwined roles of health care workers and military personnel. It also celebrates the healing power of the region and the enduring value of communal memory. In a modern context, the ceremony draws attention to the ongoing importance of medical staff on the front lines and in hospitals, their work essential to restoring health and enabling recovery for those affected by conflict and crisis. The event in Kislovodsk, held on the eve of Victory Day, marks a moment when history, geography, and national service converge to create a shared sense of purpose and reverence. [citation: cultural heritage reports]